Tag Archive: Alternative Architecture

It’s been quite a ride these last 6 weeks on the Earthship build with Michael Reynolds. Being on an Off Grid Island with nothing more than a tent, bike, supplies, a lot of chocolate, and a lot of will power has taught me both the gratitude of the simpler things in life, and appreciation for the eccentricities in life. Island Life here has been full of colour and wonderful people. A little review…

These photos depict a Time Lapse of both Earthships that were built on one site on the West Coast Gulf Island with Michael Reynolds. In front is the smaller Studio Earthship, while behind is the Main House Earthship…

We have 2 days left on this Earthship build, and that includes today! Today is all about the Finishing Touches. Here the Landscaping Rock Wall is being built up at the front of the smaller Studio Earthship…As the build winds down, so do our supplies, however we’ve gotten rather good at improvising… Speaking of Beer and improvising… it’s ‘Beer :30′, and …

Those of us partaking in last night’s activities at the Island Solstice Rave, are what you would refer to as ‘Hurting Units’ this morning. So thankfully we have the opportunity to grab a morning Espresso at Cafe Rousselle, courtesy of some fellow industrious interns over at ‘Camp Hugs’… Not only do they Recycle at ‘Cafe Rouselle’… They’ve also been growing Sprouts using recycled Blue Board. These sprouts will be transplanted to the Earthship indoor Greywater Planters any day now…

Seems we’ve been invited to a local tradition… the ‘Island Solstice Party’, taking place on the extreme other end of the Gulf Island. After 4 and a half weeks on this remote, off grid Island, we’ve been embraced by the Islanders and included in this mythical yearly tradition. A buffet table was laden with everything from Salad to a plethora of goodies. Curiously, I was told the only ‘non-magical’ food on the table ‘safe’ to eat was the Chocolate Cake.

Volunteer Interns have been working hard to meet this week’s deadline. It’s certainly been an Ant Hill of activity, especially when several different finishes are required in close proximity. I’ve viewed it as ‘Organized Chaos’, however the job gets done. Here the can wall is still being built, while the Tire Wall below is still being ‘Packed Out’ and simultaneously the ‘Brown Coat’ of finish plaster is applied.The West Wing Can Wall of the Main House Earthship is really starting to come along, and ties in nicely to the Rammed Earth Tire Wall that’s ‘Battered Back’ and used as a retaining/supporting wall against the back berm of the smaller Studio Earthship to the right.

The Can Wall has really progressed. You’ll notice how far down the end Can Wall stack on the right goes down into the ground, and that’s because in some places the tire wall had to go down as far as 6 rows below floor level to reach ‘Undisturbed Earth’ , which is necessary for a solid Rammed Earth Tire Wall… and No… it’s not a ‘Creature from the Black Lagoon’… rather a Volunteer Intern emerging from the bowels of the…